Press operating and control mechanism



Aug. 4, 1936.

C. S. MAI-OTT, JR PRESS OPERATING AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Oct- 30, 1955 Patented Aug. 4, 1936 sras rnEss OPERATING AND CONTROL MEcHANisM Clifton S. Malott, Jr., Norwood, Ohio, assigner to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 30, 1935, Serial No. 47,447

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a pressing machine of the type used in pressing garments and laundered articles.

My invention provides a novel press structure and control mechanism in the type of pressing machine wherein a pair of coacting pressing members are movable laterally into and out of registration and movable into and out of pressure engagement when inV registry. In such a machine I provide novel means for producing the lateral Vmovement between the pressing members and also novel means for causing pressure vengagement between them. My invention is particularly applicable to a type of pressing machine which provides two relatively stationary pressing members spaced apart laterally so as to coact alternatively with one or the other of two spaced coacting pressing members carried by a support for lateral movement into and out of registry with the first named pressing members. In such a machine I arrange the coacting members so that while one pair is in registration the other pair is out of registration with a pressing member exposed for the removal of a processed article and the application of an article to be processed. In this type of machine the present invention provides novel means for movement of one pair of pressing members into and out of registration with other coacting pressing members by means of a movable support and nov-el means on the support for causing pressing engagement of registering pressing members. u

My invention also provides novel .control mechanism for the type of' pressing mechanism outlined above and the novel features thereof will be pointed out in the accompanyingr specication and the essential features will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation partly in section of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion oi the mechanism of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a View taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; While Fig. 4 is a View taken along the line ll-Il of Fig. 1.

Certain features of my invention are applicable to a single pair of pressingl members relatively movable laterally into and out of registration with each other and when in registration movable into and out of pressing engagement. However, I have chosen to illustrate my invention as applied to a machine comprising a'frame IEB upon which are supported in a stationary manner a pair of pressing heads il and I 2 which may be suitably heated if desired. Mounted upon the frame IU are a pair of spaced pressing beds I3 and Ill which are adapted to be carried by a support or carriage I5 for lateral movement along the frame. The head supports are at the rear of the frame having a clear path beneathk the heads. It will be noted that the heads are spaced 5 apart a sufficient distance so that when one pair of pressing members,.for instance I2 and I4 as shown in Fig. 1, is in registration, the bed i3 is in exposed position between the pressing heads so that the operator may arrange material there- 10 upon.

Means is provided for causing lateral movement of the pressing beds into andout of registry with their respective heads. In the form shown a cylinder and piston motor is built into 15 and forms part of the support or carriage l5,- although it will be readily understood that other arrangements of the motor and carriage maybe provided which will provide the same results. I so arrange this cylinder and piston motor that 20 one of the elements thereof is carried by the frame while the other element is carried by the bed support. In the present instance'the cylinder I5a is on the support and the piston I5bis rigidly connected with the frame. In the form 25 shown the piston connection comprises conduits I6 and Il which at their innermost ends are threadedly connected with the piston and at their outermost ends are supported by brackets Illa and IUb on the frame. The piston I5b has cored 30' passages I3k and I9 in its opposite end faces so that fluid entering by conduit I6 and passageway I 8 exerts a pressure in the right hand end of cylinder I5a to cause motion of support I5 to the right, while fluid entering conduit I'I through 35 passageway i9 exerts pressure at the left end of cylinder I5a to cause motion of support I5 to the left. The conduits I6 and I1 where they pass through the heads of cylinder I5a are provided with substantially duid-tight packing glands 2U 40. and 2|. The carriage or support I5 is providedwith wheels 22 which travel on rails 23 carried by the frame. The above described mechanism for providinglateral movement of the pressingk beds might be utilized to-'carry a bed into regis- 45 tration with one of the pressing heads which might thereafter be moved'downwardly to cause pressure engagement. However, in the -form shown the pressing heads are stationary and the means for causing nal pressure is mounted upon v50 the movable support or carriage I5.

For causing vertical movement of the pressing beds, motor means for each bed is mounted on the carriage I5. The motor means comprises cylinder and piston motors, one, for each bed, and' 55 as these are alike one will be described and the other will be marked with similar characters. Bed I3 is raised and lowered by motor 24 which comprises a cylinder 24a rigid with the support I5 and housing a piston 2417 whose piston rod 24e engages the pressing bed. The lower head of cylinder 24a is provided with an outlet port 24d and an inlet port 24e. Directly beneath the cylinder 24a is formed a valve chamber for the reciprocating valve 25 which is biased by a suitable spring so as to normally exhaust cylinder 24a through the port 24d and an outlet port 25a which leads from the left end of the valve chamber. 'I'he valve 25 is actuated by a stem 251) as will be presently described. A port 26 in theV wall of cylinder I5a lies directly opposite the inlet port 24e and the valve 25 normally closes this port 26 under the bias of its actuating spring. The port 2B is` also closed by piston I5b when the pressing bed I3 is in exposed position but upon relative movement in registration-producing direction between piston I5b and cylinder I5a it will be seen that the port 26 will be opened.

The mechanism connected with pressing bedv I4 is similar to that already described, the motor and associated parts being designated by the numeral 21 with suitable suixes, the valve mechanism being shown at 28 and the port at 29. It will be noted that the parts for moving beds I3 and I4 are turned in the right and left hand directions to bring them in their proper positions.

Means is provided for controlling the ow of pressure fluid through conduits I6 and I'I so as to provide a flow through one while simultaneously exhausting the other. The mechanism shown comprises valve `casings 30 and 3| mounted on a suitable bracket connected with the frame, each valve casing having similar parts which are similarly designated while one only is described. Casing 3ll has an inlet port 39a, an outlet port Stb, and a piston valve 30e which is movable to two positions, one for establishing ilow and the other for establishing exhaust. A yoke 32 is pivotally :mounted Von the bracket and connected at its opposite ends with'piston valves 30e and 3Ic, and movement of the yoke by its handle 32a will move one of the piston valves into fluid supply position while simultaneously moving the other piston valve into fluid exhaust position.

Means is provided for latching a. pressing bed in position registering beneath its associated head automatically upon the pressing members reaching registry and this latching mechanism is automatically disengaged upon completion of a pressing operation. The mechanism shown comprises a latch member 24J connected with the movable support I5 and in the present instance being rigid with the cylinder 24a. A coacting latch member 33 is pivotally mounted on the bracket Illa. A spring 33a biases the latch toward its engaging position and the latch has a laterally extending arm 33h which is engageable by a stem I 3a. on the bed I3 as the bed moves downwardly out of pressing engagement. The arrangement of the mutually engaging surfaces on the latch members 24j and 33 is such that as these members pass one over the other upon bed I3 registering beneath head I I, latch 33 is moved in a clockwise direction sufficiently to lower the arm position 33h to a point where stem I3a will pass idly over it. Then upon complete engagement of the latch and' movement of the bed I3 toward head II the latch remains engaged until upon opening'of the pressing members anddownward movement of bed I3, the stem I3a strikes the latch portion 3319, rotating the latch 33 in a clockwise direction and again disengaging the latch. Similar parts are shown at the other end of the machine and designated 2If, 34, 34a, and 34h respectively.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 1 and with motive fluid under pressure being supplied at 30a and 3Ic, the operation of the mechanism is as follows:

The operator arranges the lay of the work upon bed I3 and moves yoke 32 in a counter-clockwise direction. This supplies motive fluid to the right hand'face of piston I5b through conduit 3 I a, valve casing 3l, conduit i6 and passageway I8. At the same time the left face of piston Ib and the portion of the cylinder contiguous thereto is placed in communication with exhaust through passageway I9, conduit I'I, valve casing 35 andport3f3b. There is then a tendency for cylinder I5-a and the carriage or support I5 to move toward the right under the inuence of the fluid supplied through conduit I6. However, this is ineffective as long as latch members 34 and Z'if are engaged. It will be noted that in the position of the parts in Fig. l, ports 21e and 29 are open and establish communication between cylinder l5a and cylinder 21a. Cylinder 21a therefore exhausts and bed i4. follows piston 2lb-downwardly until stem I4a engages latch portion 34h and disengages latch 34 from the coacting portion 21j. The uid pressure in the right hand end of cylinder I5a is then effective to move the support I5 toward the right carrying bed I3 into registry with head I I. During this movement port V2I'is opened and upon reaching registration valve stem 25h strikes a portion of bracket I'a moving valve 25 to open port 24e and to close port 24d. This places these parts in the relative position already seen in Fig. 1 in connection with the movement of members I2 and I4 into pressure engagement. That is to say, uid will then ow from the right hand end of cylinder I 5a through ports 26 and 24e into cylinder 24a causing a lifting of piston 2419 and bed I3 until engagement occurs between the bed and the head I I. The parts will remain in this position until valves 30e and 3Ic are again reversed which will return the parts to the position of Fig. 1 in a manner analogous to that already described.

The operator is thus enabled to stand at the y center of the machine and arrange the work upon the beds as they are alternately exposed before her and by manipulation of the yoke 32 causes a movement of the beds to the right or left as described and each movement of the bed into registration with its coacting head is followed automatically by movement into pressure engagement which is maintained until the operator again moves the yoke 32.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a frame, a support movable on said frame in a path, two spaced pressing members on said support and movable relative thereto, two spaced pressing members on said frame and-arranged. along said path to alternatively'coact with one of said rst named pressing members while exposing the other, means for moving said support alternatively to place one'or the other of the coacting pairs of pressing members in registry, and motor means carried by said support for moving one of said i'irst named pressing members relative to said support and into engagement with the registering pressing member. f Y

2. In apressing machine, a frame, a support movable on said frame in a path, two spaced ,pressing members on saidsupport and movable relative thereto, two spaced pressing members on said frame and arranged along said pathl to alternatively coact with one of said first named pressing members while exposing the. other, means for moving said support alternatively to place one or the other of the coacting pairs Aof pressing members in registry, motor means car'- ried by said support for moving one of said'rst named pressing members relative to said support and into engagement with the .registering pressing member, a control'member for said motor'means, and means for automatically-actuatingA said control'member upon registration of coacting pressing members. f

3. In a pressing machine, a frame, a .support movable on said frame in a path, two spaced pressing members on said support and movable relative thereto, two spaced-pressing members -on said frame and arrangedalong saidl path to alternatively coact with one of said first named pressing members while exposing the other, means for moving said support alternatively to place one or the other of the coacting pairs of pressing members in registry, two fluid motors carried by said support, each of said motors being arranged to move one of said iirst named pressing members relative to said support and into engagement with the registering pressing member, a. control member for each motor, and means for automatically actuating a control member upon registration of its associated pressing member with a coacting pressing member.

4. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pressing member thereon, a support movable on said frame, a pressing member on said support and movable thereby into and out of registry with said first named pressing member, means for moving said support to register said pressing members, a motor carried by said support and operatively connected with said second named pressing member to move the same relative to said support into engagement with said iirst named member when in registry therewith, and operating means for said motor.

5. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pressing member thereon, a support movable on said frame, a pressing member on said support and movable thereby into and out of registry with said first named pressing member, means for moving said support to register said pressing members, a cylinder and piston motor carried by said support and operatively connected with said second named pressing member to move the same relative to said support into engagement with said first named member when said members are in registry, means for supplying pressure fluid to said motor, a control member for said fluid supply, and means for' automatically actuating said control member upon registration of said pressing members.

6. In a pressing machine, a. frame, a support movable on said frame in a path, two spaced pressing members on said support, two spaced pressing members on said frame and arranged along said path to alternatively coact with one of said first named pressing members while exposing the other, a motor for moving said support alternatively to place one or the other of the coacting pairs of pressing members in registry, said motor having cylinder and piston elements, one of said elements being connected with said support, the other of said elements being connected with said frame, fluid supply meansv for'lsaid '1motor, 'and means *for causing pressing engagement between registering pressing members. i Y

I '7. A'pressingmachine as in claim 6, and including a fluid supply line for said motor rigidly connected with that one of said elements which is connected with theframe.

y8. In a. pressing machine, a frame, a'support movable on Ysaid frame in a path, two spaced pressing members on said support, two spaced pressing members on 'said frame and arranged along said path ito alternatively coact with one of said first named pressing members while exposing the other, a `motor for moving said support alternatively to place-one or the other of the coacting pairs of pressing members in registry, said motor having cylinder and piston elements, one of said elements being connected y withsaid support, the,` other ofV said elements being connected with said frame, iiuid ysupply means for said motor, and iiuid actuated means for each pressing member on said supportfor moving the pressingsurface thereof into engagement with, a registering pressing member.V

9. A pressing-machinev as in claim 8, and including means forestablishing iiuid supply conduitcommunication with oneof said fluid actuated means by movement of said motor in a direction to register the pressing member actuated by said one means with a coacting pressing member.

10. In a pressing machine of the class described, a frame, a pressing member thereon, a support movable on said frame, a pressing member on said support and movable thereby into and out of registry with said first named pressing member, a motor for moving said support,

said motor having cylinder and piston` elements, y

one oi said elements being connected with said support, the other of said elements being connected with said frame, fluid supply means for said motor, and means for causing pressing engagement between said pressing members when they are in registry.

l1. In a pressing machine of the class described, a frame, a pressing member thereon, a support movable on said frame, a pressing member on said support and movable thereby into and out of registry with said first named pressing member, a motor for moving said support, said motor having cylinder and piston elements, one of said elements being connected with said support, the other of said elements being connected with said frame, iiuid supply means for said motor, and fluid actuated means on said support for moving the pressing surface of the member thereon into engagement with the pressing member on the frame when said members register.

12. A pressing machine as in claim 11, and including means for establishing fluid supply conduit communication with said fluid actuated means by movement of said motor in registration-producing direction.

13. A pressing machine comprising a frame, a bed support arranged to travel in a path therealong, two spaced pressing beds upon said support, two spaced pressing heads arranged along said path alternatively to coact with one of said beds while exposing the oth-er of said beds, said support comprising a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder rigidly connected to said frame by fluid conduits at its opposite ends, said conduits having sliding huid-tight engagement with the ends of said cylinder, Lsaid cylinder :andpiston being arranged to provide support travel sufficient -to register each of said beds alternatively with one of said heads, means for causing pressing engagement Abetween a regsteringbed and ghead, and means for supplying uid to said conduits.

14. A pressing machineras in claimtl, and in which each pressing bed :is movable vertically relativeto said support, the means for causing pressing engagement .between aregistering `bed and head includes a cylinder 'and Ypiston motor on r said-'fsulnporn"r there being an 'operative f con nection betweensaid llast namedimoto'r and a Vbedfor'raising 4the latter into engagement with ahead, 'and means forsupplying fluid to said'last named motor when its vvassociated bed registers with a head'.

15. A pressing machine asV in claim 13, and in which each pressing 'bed is movable vertically relative to l'said support', the means for causing pressing engagement between a registering bed and head includ-es a cylinder and piston'motor on lsaid support', there being an operative con-l nection lbetweensaid last named motor and a bed `for raising the latter into engagement Vwith a head, and means for supplying fluid to said'last named motor when' its `associated bed' lregisters witha head, 'said last named means including a' control" member arranged forV automatic vactuation by.movement.of the said bed into registry.

1.6. A pressing machine Aas in claim 13, and .in which' each pressing bed is movable vertically relativeto said 4support, the means for causing pressing engagement between v`a registering bed and head rincludes a cylindervand piston motor on said,supportthere being? an operative connectionfbetween saidrlastlnamed vmotor and a bed for'raising the latterinto engagement with ahead,and means for supplying fluid to said last named .motor whenits associated bed registers with ahead, said last named. means including a port controlled by relative movement between said rst named pistonV and cylinder.

17. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressingV members relatively movable laterally into and out of registration'and relatively movable -into and out of pressure engagement, means fior causing both of saidv movements, latch means ngageable to hold said members in registration, and means for disengaging said latch means by relative movement of 'said' members out of pres- 

